Free Fragile by Veronica Short

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Chapter Twelve
    LUCY
     
     
    I was sitting outside the hospital with a cup of coffee when I heard a familiar bark. I turned and saw Aiden running towards me. “Hey boy. What are you doing here? You didn’t run away, did you?”
    “No, I brought him here.” Mark stood over me and Aiden.
    “Hi,” I stood up and brushed the loose dog hair off my scrubs.
    “Hey.” He reached out for me and I hugged him. Pulling back, I saw sadness in his eyes.
    “Is Rick alright?”
    He offered a sad smile. “Not really, but if you ask him, he’ll tell you that he’s fine. I thought that I’d bring Aiden to see you. He misses you. Rick says that he can’t get him out of your room. He isn’t eating and he cries.”
    “Why are you here, Mark?”
    He took a deep breath before he spoke, “Rick needs you. He’s a mess, Lucy. He’s not sleeping and hasn’t been to work in days. I’m getting worried. This isn’t like him.”
    “I can’t, Mark. I know you guys don’t understand, but it’s just easier this way. Give it time. Time’s a great healer.”
    “Don’t give me that crap, Lucy. Time’s a great healer,” he mocked. “You sound like a doctor. Rick doesn’t need a doctor. He needs you.”
    “I am a doctor, Mark. I can’t just stop being a doctor when someone needs me. It’s who I am.”
    “You’re Lu, that’s all he needs right now.”
    There was no denying that I missed him, and hearing that he was having a tough time pulled on my heart strings. I just didn’t know what to do. Mark left with Aiden but not before he handed over the key that I had left behind when I left the apartment. I held it close to my chest before putting it into my breast pocket feeling like it was all I had left of Rick.
    I walked through the front door and Aiden came barrelling down the hallway. We said our hello’s before we headed upstairs. Pushing the bedroom door open, I took in the sight of Rick spread out across the bed, a sheet covering his lower body. He was certainly a sight.
    “Go away,” He grumbled as I walked closer to the bed.
    “Fine,” I said. “I’ll go and see the house I have lined up today with Dr. Douche bag instead.” I turned to leave, but Rick grabbed my hand, stopping me. “What are you doing still lying down? I have to be there in half an hour. Chop chop.” I pulled on his arm, but he didn’t budge. I pulled again but this time Rick pulled me down and rolled until I lay underneath him. When Rick was satisfied that I wasn’t going anywhere, he started talking.
    “Why are you here?”
    “I told you, I have a house viewing in half an hour. You know the city better than me, so I decided you’re the better one to bring along.” He just stared at me without speaking. “We have to go.” I pushed on his shoulders until he sat back on his heels and I climbed out from under him. Standing up and turning around, I held out my hand to help him off the bed, but he just stared at it.
    “Why are you here?” He asked again.
    “I told you, I have a house viewing shortly and want to bring you.”
    “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind about us? About there being an us?”
    I shook my head, “No, Rick, I haven’t.”
    “So, you’re using me then.”
    “No, I am not using you.”
    “So, you’re here to get me to take you to see some house, not because you want me to see it?”
    “Damn it, Rick! You’re my only friend here. Is it so wrong that I want your opinion on where I live?” I turned and stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind me.
    Once at the hospital it didn’t take long to become immersed in work. I was with another patient as I felt my side vibrate. “Damn it,” I muttered as I looked down at my pager. “I’m needed in the ER, so we’ll take this up later. In the meantime, keep thinking of ways that we can reach that tumour. Think outside the box,” I instructed my two interns, Dr. Brooks and Dr. Mills. After getting the confirmation from them that